August 14, 2026

A message from Council Member Chavez

Dear neighbor,

It was a fairly quiet day at yesterday’s council meeting, where we took action on 62 items. Most of the attention around City Hall this week was focused on the mayor’s recommended 2027 budget, which was released at his annual budget address. It is a very large document so we’re still going through it to get a fuller picture, but based on what we’ve seen so far, I have some serious concerns regarding the real life impacts that this proposal could have on us. 

Mayor Frey has proposed an 11.3 percent increase in property taxes. Despite this increase, he also proposed slashing approximately 100 public service jobs, cutting vital services that residents depend on, all while increasing MPD’s already-substantial budget by nearly $20 million. MPD has blown past their budget by tens of millions of dollars a year in much of our recent history, causing harmful cuts throughout the public safety ecosystem and most City departments. 

During the Mayor’s budget address, he stated that our city’s residents demand public safety, and I couldn’t agree more. That is why I was shocked to hear that Mayor Frey has proposed cutting $2.7 million per year for the violence interrupters and violence prevention services programs. Violence Interruption is a public health approach to violence prevention built upon the belief that violence is a learned behavior that can be prevented using disease control methods. 

The existing violence prevention program in Minneapolis includes building teams of violence interrupters and outreach workers to: (1) detect potentially violent situations and use informal mediation, non-physical conflict resolution, and interruption expertise to de-escalate the situations before they become violent; and (2) address barriers and reduce risk by providing resource referrals to those who need them. I am already listening to my colleagues to hear their thoughts on this proposal from the mayor, and I’m interested to hear what you think as well. 

Another of Mayor Frey’s proposals that stuck out is his proposal to cut around $3.7 million per year from climate legacy initiatives. I have heard from many residents over the years about the importance of our Climate Equity Plan, which, if properly implemented and managed, would reduce carbon emissions, repair environmental injustices, and build a sustainable and inclusive economy. These are great goals, of course, but they can’t just be goals. 

We are living through climate change: extreme heat, drought conditions, and air so toxic that it’s a health risk to step out your front door. Spending $3.7 million a year is nowhere near enough to reverse the harms done to our environment, but it’s a start. We can’t afford to slash this funding.

The Mayor’s proposal would also result in substantial cuts provided by the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. Including programming, recreation hours, staff, and more. They would not be able to maintain service levels and our youth would suffer as a result. 

These are just a few examples of the harms that have been proposed in the mayor’s budget. My office will continue to analyze his proposals and provide more information as the budget process moves forward. It is time to look at top level salaries in the enterprise instead of defunding critical city services.

Last year, Mayor Frey approved his own $46,000 salary increase, a 33% raise, and now he’s proposing devastating cuts and asking Minneapolis families to pay more in property taxes. I did not vote in favor of this salary increase. Do you think anyone in the city enterprise should be paid more than the Mayor? We also need a wealth tax and alternative revenue sources. 

The mayor’s address is just the start of what will be a busy few months of budget work. I look forward to hearing about your priorities and doing what I can to ensure that the City invests in programs that benefit our communities and the people who live here. You can read the budget book here. 

Sincerely,

Jason Chavez

Honoring Black and POC LGBTQ+ Pride

At yesterday’s council meeting, we recognized Minnesota People of Color LGBTQ+ Pride and Twin Cities Black Pride 2026. Minnesota People of Color LGBTQ+ Pride (MNPOC Pride), founded in 1999, has served the Twin Cities community for more than 25 years by creating affirming spaces that celebrate, empower, and uplift LGBTQ+ people of color through advocacy, education, health initiatives, cultural programming, and community engagement.

MNPOC Pride was founded through the vision and leadership of Dennis Anderson, LaTonya Noble, and Raymel Givens, whose commitment to creating safe, affirming, and culturally responsive spaces has strengthened and expanded opportunities for LGBTQ+ people of color throughout Minnesota. It works year-round to improve health outcomes, develop youth leadership, strengthen community partnerships, and create opportunities that support the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ communities across Minnesota through community events, public health initiatives, youth leadership development, advocacy, and cultural programming.

Twin Cities Black Pride is one of Minnesota's longest-running celebrations dedicated to honoring the history, resilience, leadership, and contributions of LGBTQ+ people of color while fostering inclusion, equity, and belonging for all residents. The 2026 Twin Cities Black Pride celebration, themed "Always Better Together," recognizes the power of community, collective liberation, and collaboration in creating a more just and welcoming Minneapolis. 

We honor MNPOC LGBTQ+ Pride for its more than 25 years of service to the City of Minneapolis and the State of Minnesota. We recognize the organization's continued commitment to uplifting LGBTQ+ people of color. And we celebrate the 2026 Twin Cities Black Pride celebration. We further recognize the vision and leadership of founders Dennis Anderson, LaTonya Noble, and Raymel Givens, whose dedication has created a lasting legacy of advocacy, inclusion, and community empowerment. 

Reminder for upcoming public hearings

Next week, two ordinances I am working on will receive their public hearings. If either of these issues are important to you and you have the ability to attend, I encourage you to show up and speak to them.

Dress code posting requirement ordinance public hearing

This ordinance is being authored by myself, Council President Payne, Council Member Wonsley, and Council Member Warren. Anecdotal evidence shows that certain establishments in Minneapolis appear to be using supposed dress codes to arbitrarily discriminate against historically disenfranchised communities. This ordinance, which is based on a similar ordinance enacted in Houston, TX, would ensure that such a practice would no longer occur in Minneapolis. 

Under the ordinance, an establishment that sells liquor and has a dress code would be required to conspicuously display the dress code so that it may be easily viewed by the public during the hours of operation. If a premises does not have a dress code policy, they would not be impacted by this ordinance. We voted earlier this week to set a public hearing on the ordinance, where you are invited to testify. 

• When: Tuesday, August 18 at 1:30 p.m. 
• Who: Anyone who cares about this issue
• What: Public hearing to discuss the dress code posting requirement office before the Business, Housing, and Zoning Committee
• Where: Council Chambers, Minneapolis City Hall, Rm. 380, 350 S. 5th St.

Bark Down Barriers ordinance public hearing

Bark Down Barriers is an ordinance authored by Council Member Wonsley, on which I have joined as a co-author along with Council Members Chowdhury and Whiting. The ordinance removes conditions and restrictions on pet ownership solely due to a prior conviction for certain felonies. 

Currently, individuals with a felony record may be charged a $250 fee associated with owning dogs weighing more than 20 pounds or other limited criteria. Bark Down Barriers removes this barrier to pet ownership for justice-impacted individuals. Should the ordinance amendment pass, Minneapolis Animal Care and Control retains the authority to restrict ownership for individuals convicted of a felony for animal mistreatment or using an animal to perpetrate an assault. No changes are made with respect to Minneapolis Animal Care and Control’s ability to restrict the ownership of individuals who have demonstrated a failure to comply with city ordinances concerning the ownership of potentially dangerous or dangerous animals. We voted earlier this week to set a public hearing on the ordinance, where you are invited to testify. 

• When: Wednesday, August 19 at 1:30 p.m. 
• Who: Anyone who cares about this issue

• What: Public hearing to discuss the dress code posting requirement office before the Public Health, Safety, and Equity Committee
• Where: Council Chambers, Minneapolis City Hall, Rm. 380, 350 S. 5th St.

Ward 9 Community Clean-up

We had a successful Ward 9 Cultural Corridor Cleanup co-hosted by the Public Works Department and my office. In total we collected 56 bags of trash. I’m so grateful to 35+ neighbors, city staff, and interns who showed up to help. Rain or shine, Southside we outside.

Community Commission on Police Oversight special meeting

Join the Community Commission on Police Oversight (CCPO) for a special meeting, where they will provide space for community members to give input on MPD policies, rules, practices, and special order. They are looking for community input on the discussion topics. 

Discussion topics include domestic violence response; implementation and practice of the duty to intervene; equity; the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act; and public input on the police chief appointment. 

• When: September 17 at 6:00 p.m. 
• Who: Anyone who cares about these issues
• What: CCPO special meeting
• Where: 250 S. 4th St., Room 350

For more information, visit the website, call 612-673-3012, or email opcr@minneapolismn.gov.

2026 Green Zones Geographic Boundaries Project Survey

As I mentioned in my previous newsletter, a green zone project team is currently undertaking the Green Zone Geographic Boundaries Project. These efforts are being led by the Climate and Sustainability Team in the Health Department with project team members from Community Planning and Economic Development (CPED), Public Works, and Neighborhood & Community Relations (NCR). Now the City needs you to play a role in the project by filling out a survey.

The survey includes census tracts that were identified through collaboration with advisory board members with connections to, and lived experiences in, the Green Zones. Community members identified variables and then weighted those variables to determine which factors were most important.

Please complete the  Green Zone Map Survey by August 30, 2026.

The Green Zone Environmental Justice ZonesGreen Zone Environmental Justice Zones were identified in 2016 through a year-long community-led process. Now, ten years later, the City is updating the Green Zones using more up-to-date data. The Green Zones are areas of our city that have both environmental and social disparities. 

Voter turnout in Minneapolis primary election

More than 112,000 people voted in the 2026 primary election in Minneapolis, the second highest turnout in any state primary since 1968. That’s more than 40 percent of our registered voters weighing in. Minneapolis has 263,562 registered voters, which is about 60.5 percent of the city’s estimated population.

Thank you to our elections staff and election judges for once again ensuring free, impartial and fair access to the ballot box. And most of all, thank you, voters, for voting. You can find the unofficial election results for the primary election on the Secretary of State’s website.

Call for artists: Northside Greenway public art

The City of Minneapolis invites artists and/or artist teams to apply to create new public artworks for the Northside Greenway project. The four-mile Greenway route is from 44th Avenue N. to Fourth Avenue N. on Humboldt Avenue N. and Irving Avenue N. The Greenway will:

• Go through six distinct neighborhoods
• Connect to or be near five public schools
• Pass through or be near nine parks
• Cross several major roads and transportation corridors in North Minneapolis

Artists may apply for one or all six public art opportunities along the Greenway. View the call for artists.

Informational meeting: 3 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18

Application deadline: 4 p.m. Monday, Sept. 14

Contact Dudley Voigt for more information or a link to the informational meeting.

Call for poets: Apply to become the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate

The City of Minneapolis and The Loft Literary Center are seeking applications for the next Minneapolis Poet Laureate. The two-year term runs from Jan. 1, 2027, through Dec. 31, 2028.

The Poet Laureate serves as an ambassador for Minneapolis’ literary culture, using poetry to connect and engage our community. During their term, the Poet Laureate will participate in civic events, lead public poetry programming, teach classes through The Loft and develop a community-focused poetry project. The call for poets opens Wednesday, Aug. 12.

Learn more about the Minneapolis Poet Laureate program and how to apply.

City Council starts process of considering the Mayor’s Recommended Budget

The Minneapolis City Council started its process of considering the Mayor’s 2027-28 Recommended Budget at its regular meeting on Thursday, Aug. 13. City Council sent it to the Budget Committee, who will now comprehensively review the spending plan and priorities over the next several months. A final budget plan must be adopted by at least seven affirmative votes and approved by the mayor before the end of the year.

Upcoming meetings

The Budget Committee consists of all 13 City Council members. This committee leads the City Council's review of the Mayor’s Recommended Budget and receives department performance reports. The next Budget Committee meeting is Aug. 24 at 1:30 p.m.

Public hearings

The public will have the opportunity to make their voices heard throughout the City Council’s budget process.

Board of Estimate and Taxation (BET) sets the maximum levies for certain tax funds in the City including Municipal Building Commission, the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority and Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). A public hearing on the levy is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 5:05 p.m. BET is expected to adopt the maximum levy at its meeting on Sept. 23 at 4 p.m.

Approximately three public hearings will take place as part of the Budget Committee. Dates and times will be announced at a later date.

The final public hearing of the budget process is known as the Truth in Taxation Hearing. It is expected to take place on Dec. 15. City Council then votes to adopt the budget after the conclusion of the public hearing.

Contact the Ward 9 Office

Email: jason.chavez@minneapolismn.gov
Phone: 612-673-2209

City Hall
350 S. Fifth St., Room 370
Minneapolis, MN 55415

For reasonable accommodations or alternative format please contact 311. People who are deaf or hard of hearing can use a relay service to call 311 at 612-673-3000. Para ayuda, llame al 311. Rau kev pab, hu 311. Hadii aad caawimaad u baahantahay, wac 311.